Numbers were going in the opposite direction for Concord.
The game clock was growing smaller and smaller, while its’ deficit to Londonderry only grew bigger and bigger. They couldn’t stop time, but the Crimson Tide did put all of its efforts into reversing the direction of the numbers.
Slowly, the score difference appeared that if a turnover from the Lancers’ here and a quick bucket there Concord could have a memorable night in the gym off Warren Street.
But here and there never came and the only numbers that remain are in the form of the final 53-44 score as the Tide ran out of time Monday night.
Tyler Clark Toy was beginning to get into a groove midway through the third quarter. The senior forward fought his way through a pressing defense as he drove down the lane and finished with a reverse layup. He kept pushing as Concord was down 10 with a little less than three minutes left in the game.
His 11 second-half points kept Concord in it, but the Lancers had a response for every single strong possession the Tide had down the stretch. Space out the floor and toss long-distance passes on the inbound pass? Sure. Drive the middle and kick it out to an unguarded shooter in the corner? Yep. Force a missed shot caused by an aggressively stingy zone defense? Absolutely.
Ultimately, the Lancers were able to keep Concord at bay through all of those things and the home team couldn’t find a response back.
“When we face that challenge and adversity, we struggle to execute plays and score points,” coach Jim Thorpe said. “Not being able to capitalize and score points, at the end or throughout the entire game has been hurting us.”
Concord’s loss to Londonderry was the first of its kind throughout the young season, however.
Single digits.
In both of their previous losses, the Tide suffered margins of defeat by 32 and 26 points so the improvement is being made.
Clark Toy leads Concord with 15 points followed by senior forward Anthony Brock with 12. The Tide had solid production from their bench including junior guard Matthew Drewes who finished with six points – half of which came off a splash corner 3-pointer.
Also critical off the bench was Ali Adams, who finished with five points. Adams, a senior guard, had a quick twitch in his step and drew multiple shooting fouls in the first half.
Certainly, if there’s a number that Concord wants to change it’s this digit.
Two. Two consecutive losses on the record will have the Tide looking to change it to zero and their next chance for that is Wednesday when they host Bishop Guertin. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.